University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Lacrosse Opens 2008 Season At Vermont
2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. (February 28, 2008) - The University of Connecticut women's lacrosse team opens the 2008 season Friday against Vermont at Moulton Winder Field in Burlington, Vt., at 3:00 p.m. The Catamounts scheduled season opener against Siena last week was postponed, making Friday's contest the first game of the year for both squads. UConn finished the 2007 season with a 10-6 overall record, while Vermont was 5-12.
Though Friday is just the second meeting between UConn and Vermont in lacrosse, the Catamounts head coach Jen Johnson is very familiar with the Huskies. She served as a graduate assistant at UConn from 2002-04 under former head coach Bonnie Rosen. UConn won the lone meeting between the two schools, 14-6, on April 25, 1998 in Storrs.
Tickets for Friday's game cost $5 for adults; $3 for children under 17.
2008 Season Preview
Coming off one of the most triumphant seasons in University of Connecticut lacrosse history, the 2008 Huskies are poised to continue the success found in last season’s kickoff to the "new era of UConn lacrosse." This year’s team may be a little younger and a little less experienced than the one that took the field a season ago, but the level of drive and motivation is characteristic of that of a veteran team.
Second-year head coach Megan Cersosimo leads the uncharacteristically young group into play this spring focused on the idea of coming together as a team and creating a unique brand of success. The Huskies lost six players to graduation, including four of the top five scorers and the team’s defensive backbone, from the team that earned the second-most wins in program history (10).
What is left is a group of young and hungry players, eager to make their mark on UConn lacrosse and the BIG EAST Conference. The goals for this season are simple: to learn, experiment and grow together, as a team, one week at a time. One of the ultimate goals will of course be to take the field at Notre Dame Stadium April 25-27 for the BIG EAST Tournament; however, the Huskies know it will be a long and hard road through a tough conference and non-league schedule.
Attack
The Huskies return just one starter from last year’s attacking unit in junior Kim McGinty (Huntington, N.Y.), who finished tied for sixth in scoring a year ago with 18 goals. She will be the key force in the effort to pull the young group into a cohesive unit up front.
"Kim is a very smart attacker that pays attention to detail," said Cersosimo. "We are going to look to her to step up her role within the attack and play a much larger role this season."
Senior Robyn Pastuch (Merrick, N.Y.), who saw action in 16 games with six goals and two assists last season, and junior Kati Kasch (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will also be important factors in bringing the unit together. Pastuch is skilled at exposing defenders on the crease and as her understanding of the position grows, her ability to lead on the field will help bring cohesiveness. So too will Kasch's enthusiasm and energetic style of play.
With a year of experience under each of their belts, there are three sophomores that are expected to see increased playing time on the attack this year. Katie Devaney (Fayetteville, N.Y.), Ashley Mitchelides (Hudson, Ohio) and Molly O’Brien (Cary, N.C.) are all playing with a tremendous amount of confidence after improving their stick skills and game sense in the offseason.
A trio of freshmen will also compete for time on the attack. A two-time All-American in high school Jillian Cerar (Massapequa, N.Y.) brings an incredible amount of speed, endurance and raw ability to the field and is capable of getting inside the eight-meter. In addition, Stefanie Burra, a local product from New Fairfield, Conn., and Lauren Gunning (Hunt Valley, Md.) will look to develop and hone their skills throughout the season.
Midfield
The bulk of UConn's offensive prowess starts in the midfield with junior captain Whitney Michele (East Rochester, N.Y.) leading the charge. A unanimous selection to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, Michele leads all returning scorers after tallying 25 goals and 11 assists in 2007.
Michele's efforts will be supported by fellow junior Katy Ryan (Hamburg, N.Y.), a strong and physical midfielder who is expected to make an impact on both ends of the field. She had 18 goals and three assists last season, while also tallying 21 caused turnovers and picking up 34 ground balls (second on the team).
"Whitney and Katy are both exceptional leaders," said Cersosimo. "Whitney tends to
lead by example with her skills and attitude, whereas Katy is more of a vocal leader. They will both play a huge role in controlling the midfield transition."
Sophomores Laura Eichert (Laurel, Md.) and Lauren Sparks (West Chester, Pa.) are each expected to have breakout seasons after working hard in the last year. Eichert, a strong all-around athlete, has gained a lot of experience since her freshman season and will become a key component of the midfield. Sparks started the first two games of the 2007 season before tearing her ACL and now that she is back to full health, her speed and hustle, combined with her great field sense, will allow her to expose other defenses.
Four freshmen are expected to see some time in the midfield with each bringing something a little different to the field. Jessica Mucci (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) has proved to be a competitor through her physical and smart play, whereas Katie Parker (Rochester, N.Y.) is aggressive and consistent and adds depth to both ends of the field.
Kayla Maleski (Baltimore, Md.) and Megan Bohns (Whitehall, Md.) were club teammates in high school along with Gunning. This familiarity and ability to play off each other will be a real asset as they continue to grow and gain experience. Maleski’s solid stick skills and competitive edge and Bohns’ natural endurance and work ethic will enable them both to see playing time.
Defense
Senior captain Leah Giffin (Manlius, N.Y.) will anchor the defensive end of the field that will be filled with a few new faces in the 2008 season. Giffin played in 15 games last season, starting all of them and tallying 15 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.
"Leah will really be looked to as a vocal leader on the defensive end," said Cersosimo. "We have several returning players on defense, but none of them have had a wealth of playing time. It will be up to Leah to help everyone come together and create a cohesive unit."
Fellow seniors Meghan Nanfeldt (Jacobstown, NJ.) and Emily Van Buitenen (Darien, Conn.) are both returning from injuries and are expected to see increased playing time as they work into the system. Nanfeldt has come back from a torn ACL as a solid and aggressive 1 v 1 defender, while Van Buitenen continues to show a strong work ethic after coming back from a foot injury.
The lone junior in the mix is Jamie Antonious (Baltimore, Md.). Cersosimo describes her as a fast defender with great stamina. She will play a key role in transitioning the ball down to the attacking end.
Lauren Duffy (Madison, Conn.) and Carly Curran (Newtown, Conn.) are expected to compete for playing time on the defensive end. Duffy is an energetic and vocal defender with great footwork, and Curran is noted for her athletic ability that is used to prevent attackers from receiving good opportunities inside the eight-meter
Freshman Amy Kretovics (Kent, Ohio) will look to grow and mature throughout the spring and will eventually use her size and speed to add depth to the defensive unit.
Goalie
Jenna Moulton (East Rochester, N.Y.) returns as the starting goalkeeper after one of the most successful seasons by a freshman goalie to date. She earned nine of the team's 10 wins and posted 130 saves (fifth all-time).
"Jenna is an incredibly athletic and strong goalkeeper," said Cersosimo. "She has great stick skills outside of the crease and has really shown signs of improvement in the offseason. I am excited to see her build off a successful freshman season."
